Courts / Tipperary / Report
Courts Service staff give evidence at solicitor's theft trial
Summary
The trial of criminal defence solicitor Cahir O'Higgins, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of theft and four counts of perverting the course of justice, continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The prosecution alleges that on July 30, 2016, O'Higgins withdrew €600 from an ATM at a Londis shop on Parkgate Street using the bank card of applicant Raul Sanz Quilis, keeping €400 for himself after paying a €200 court fee. Sanz Quilis, who was charged with criminal damage, consented to the withdrawal solely to pay the fine. Evidence from Courts Service clerk Derek Bunyan confirmed the case was struck out after the payment. Additionally, the State alleges O'Higgins provided gardaí in December 2017 with notes he claimed were made on July 30, 2016, which the prosecution says contained untrue information. Natwest Group Fraud Control Manager Michael Wilson testified that records show three €200 withdrawals were made from the Spanish-issued card between 4pm and 5pm on that date. O'Higgins denies all allegations, maintaining he acted in good faith. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Courts Service staff give evidence at solicitor's theft trial. Charges or matters: one count of the theft of €400 in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017; criminal damage, with his case later struck out by the judge after a payment of €200 was made; the theft of €400 on July 30, 2016 at Londis shop, on Parkgate Street; four counts of perverting the course of public justice contrary to common law, on December 8 and December 17, 2017, within the State and at the Bridewell Garda Station in Dublin. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- July 2016 Incident
- December 2017 Incident
- July 30, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 10, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 6, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 8 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 17, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-11-07 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: one count of the theft of €400 in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017; criminal damage, with his case later struck out by the judge after a payment of €200 was made; the theft of €400 on July 30, 2016 at Londis shop, on Parkgate Street; four counts of perverting the course of public justice contrary to common law, on December 8 and December 17, 2017, within the State and at the Bridewell Garda Station in Dublin (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: one count of the theft of €400 in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017; criminal damage, with his case later struck out by the judge after a payment of €200 was made; the theft of €400 on July 30, 2016 at Londis shop, on Parkgate Street; four counts of perverting the course of public justice contrary to common law, on December 8 and December 17, 2017, within the State and at the Bridewell Garda Station in Dublin (Alleged Or Contested)
Applicant
Charges: criminal damage, with his case later struck out by the judge after a payment of €200 was made; the theft of €400 on July 30, 2016 at Londis shop, on Parkgate Street; four counts of perverting the course of public justice contrary to common law, on December 8 and December 17, 2017, within the State and at the Bridewell Garda Station in Dublin (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Parkgate Street
- Kingsbride House
- Dublin
- Dublin District Court
- and at the Bridewell Garda Station
Topics
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